An area of wildlife-rich ancient woodland is to be destroyed to make way for a
quarry following a decision under the government's controversial planning
reforms.

Eric Pickles, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, has approved plans for Hermitage Quarry, near East Malling, Kent, to be extended into 79 acres of nearby Oaken WoodPhoto: CLARA MOLDEN

However, Sue Holden, chief executive of the Woodland Trust, said that the decision at Oaken Wood suggests that "no green space is completely safe" under the new planning regulations.

She said: “This is a landmark decision, but for all the wrong reasons.

"This so-called ‘greenest Government ever’ stated that the new National Planning Policy Framework would give sufficient protection to irreplaceable habitats such as ancient woodland.

"It clearly does not – it seems no green space is completely safe.

“We are extremely concerned now that this outcome could define the level of protection given to ancient woods and indeed all irreplaceable habitats in all future planning decisions across England.

"With just 2% ancient woodland cover remaining, we cannot afford to lose any more. Ancient woodland is irreplaceable and, as such, no mitigation exists for its loss.”

The decision by Mr Pickles marks the end of a two-year battle over plans to extend a quarry into Oaken Wood.

The woodland, which is comprised of mainly sweet chestnut woodland, has been part of the Kent landscape for more than 400 years.

It is a haven for rare species of plants and animals including orchids, Hazel dormice, tawny owls, nightingales and seven species of bats.

A survey of the site showed that it was home to at least 37 bird species as well as three protected species of reptile and 16 rare moths.

Stone quarrying company Gallagher Aggregates, which owns Hermitage Quarry, initially applied to Kent County Council to extend the quarry into 14 per cent of the wood to dig out Kentish ragstone.

The company said it would create new habitat to compensate for the woodland that would be cut down and it would link Oaken Wood with other wooded areas to compensate for the loss.

However, campaigners claim that ancient woodland cannot be replaced as it takes centuries to develop into the complex ecosystem.

They also insisted that extra traffic and pollution from the larger quarry would harm what remained of the ancient wood.

Natural England, the governmental body responsible for protecting the country's natural environment, also opposed the application due to the "exceptional scale of ancient woodland loss".

However, the council approved the planning application and Mr Pickles has now given it the final go-ahead after the case was referred to him.

A spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government said: “This planning application for an extension of an existing quarry was supported by Kent County Council, local MPs and English Heritage.